CPM’s Bengal ‘FDI model’

Calcutta, Dec. 7: The CPM is hoping to replicate the “FDI model” in Bengal with a change in the cast: the Congress will be the undeclared ally and the Trinamul Congress the target.

The Left party has kept open the option of supporting a motion the Congress wants to move in the Bengal Assembly on law and order in the state.

The Congress is keen on seeking a discussion and voting on the motion during the Assembly winter session that started today but is wary of allying with the Left and opening itself to fresh taunts of “CPM B-team” from Trinamul. The Congress has left it to the Left to decide if it wants to support the motion.

CPM MLAs Anisur Rahman and Abdur Rezzak Mollah met Congress legislature party chief Mohammad Sohrab at his Assembly chamber this afternoon, CPM sources said. Earlier in the day, the Left legislature party met in the Assembly to decide on the matter.

According to a source, Rahman held discussions with Opposition leader and party colleague Surjya Kanta Mishra.

After the meeting with the Congress, Rahman said: “Initially, the Left had planned to bring a motion demanding discussion on the worsening law and order. But we were told that the Congress wants to move the motion. So what’s the use of bringing another motion on the same subject? If the Congress submits the motion, we may support it.”

The Left had voted along with the BJP and Trinamul in Parliament against FDI in retail.

A CPM MLA said there would not be prior discussions with the Congress on how to combat Trinamul inside the House but both would support each other on issues of common interest.

“Like Trinamul, we are opposed to the Congress’s policies at the Centre. But the reality is that both the Left and the Congress are now in the Opposition (in Bengal). So, both of us can support each other on common issues inside the House. If that is called floor co-ordination, so be it,” he said.

Congress legislature party chief Sohrab, however, denied any understanding with the Left on floor co-ordination. “We will move a motion on the deteriorating law and order. Besides discussions, we will seek voting on the issue. If the Left supports, it’s their decision. But the Congress and the CPM will not be together in the House on anything and everything,” Sohrab said.

Congress MLA Manas Bhunia said the Left’s “eagerness’’ to support his party’s planned motion “betrays its desperation to stay afloat as an Opposition party”.

Parliamentary affairs minister Partha Chatterjee said the government wouldn’t allow voting on the law and order motion.

“We will table a resolution that some projects in Haldia have got stalled because of central environment laws. We would like to see if the Left and the Congress join hands or not to express concern over such roadblocks to investment,” Chatterjee said.